A Farewell to Post Comment Love #PoCoLo

Way back on the 22nd March 2013, I started linky called Post Comment Love. I started it in a bid to try and read more blogs and help others. Then, on 5th April 2013, I started to feature a newbie showcase – or new blogger – every week in a bid to try and help them. To date there has been 228 bloggers featured in the showcase and I still have a rota up to the end of May.

So many people have said to me that it is the first linky they ever joined because it was so easy. For that I am so very grateful.

I have also had people say to me that they believe that the newbie showcase really helped them become more prominent. It really did what I hoped it would.

But now, it is time to say goodbye to my beloved linky. At the end of December I will be giving up #PoCoLo. Not an easy decision but I hope you understand. There is more to life than linkys. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved running it but I’ve got to the stage where it has taken over and taken my time away from so many other things I want to do. Plus, there are so many similar ones out there now which weren’t around when I started.

I shall still be running my poetry linky, Prose for Thought. It was the first linky I started and the creativity side means an awful lot to me and is something that I want to develop. If you read my Blogfest post, I announced that I shall be compiling a book of wedding readings and it’s because of Prose for Thought that I’ve continued to write creatively and got better as a result.

The PoCoLo Facebook group and Google + community will remain as I believe that it is still a good place to help share. I should be able to spend a little more time there too – and stay in touch with the people who linked up.

So many people start a linky because they believe they will instantly see a rise in their page views. Yes, that can happen but I didn’t start it for that reason. They also seem to think running a linky is easy. As many other bloggers know, it isn’t. It’s hard work. I get up every Friday at around 6.15am to do the ‘big tweet out’ (I’m sure I’ve annoyed lots of people!). The main reason for this was to help the newbie showcase and raise awareness of them.

I now need to be spending this time on me and what I really want.

I have loved running this linky. Loved the fact that I have met so many other bloggers as a result and loved reading so many rich and varied posts. Thank you to each and every one of you who linked up over the last (almost) 3 years.

If I said that I wasn’t going to miss it then I will be lying – and actually I am typing this with tears in my eyes. The 18th December will be my last one and I shall make sure it is a jumbo one to take Christmas into account.

I would be happy to pass #PoCoLo on to a good home – or homes – so if you are interested then please get in touch.

So sorry to hear you are calling it a day on #pocolo Vic – it was the first linky I joined too! But, I totally understand…having recently started #citytripping I realise how time-consuming running a linky can be. The book of poems sounds super exciting. All the best and thanks for running #pocolo and just being there 😘 xxWander Mum recently posted..City Tripping #4

Oh no!!! It was the first linky I ever did like others I felt it was where I started and it got me going and helped me meet, learn, and motivated me. I am so grateful for your linky and all your support and work you put into it darling. I love all that you have done for me I really do. It won’t be forgotten. I am so excited for your next adventure. Who ever takes over PoCoLo will be one lucky blogger. 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme

Oh my – having just seen this I don’t know how to start! First things first though – I need to say thank you for doing the linky for so long. I really only do #PoCoLo on a regular basis because it is easy to use and has been fantastic at helping me to get my blog and posts seen. It also has been an easy way to discover and enjoy new bloggers and posts. Thank you. It goes without saying then that I will miss it terribly but I totally get that it could take over so much time! Finally – you mention that there are lots of other similar linky’s out there – please please please can you share any that you think are as easy to use as #PoCoLo. Best wishes with everything. I shall go now to sob into my cup of tea. :-/

You should be very proud Vic – what an amazing success PoCoLo has become. Everyone will be sad to see it go… but I for one totally understand your reasonings. And so onto your next challenge – whether blogging-related or not, I can’t wait to find out what it is! Love, Maddie xoxo

I am sad to read this, I loved joining in and will miss it, but I totally understand your reasons. Honestly I did wonder how you manage to go through all the posts and read and answer everyone! Good luck in the next challenges 🙂Orli recently posted..How not to go to London

I am sad to hear this Victoria as #pocolo was the first linky I joined. I loved being featured on your newbue showcase too. I must admit I am not surprised you are giving it up and I am pleased you have decided to prioritise other areas of your talent/creativity. I used to write a lot of poetry so I’ll try and rekindle that hobby to join in with Prose for Thought (or dig out some old ones to share! Thanks for being a superb #pocolo host! XxAll about a Mummy recently posted..Christmas Crafting with Baker Ross

#pocolo was the first linky I joined too. Sorry to see it going but I totally understand your reasons why Victoria. I dread to think how much time it must take and the linky world is very crowded nowadays. Best of luck with the book of readings, look forward to hearing more about it in the New Year.

Thank you for hosting PoCoLo… it was the first blog hop I joined and I also featured as Newbie Showcase back in 2013. I can’t begin to imagine how much time running PoCoLo takes each week and I respect your decision to say goodbye to it and move on with new and exciting projects.Izzie Anderton recently posted..The Elf Goes Shopping Again…

Thanks for hosting it – must be sad to say goodbye, but sometimes you need to let things go to move forwards. I really appreciate the time you took to comment on every post xxStephanie recently posted..Chandeliers and staircases inside ONE Marylebone

Hi Victoria, I was hoping I was reading your post title wrong, but alas I wasn’t! Feel so sad, but also honoured that you’ve chosen my birthday to host your last one (I know you didn’t know that, but I live in my own little world and I’m safe there!).

Joking apart, I can imagine how much time hosting a link up takes. I battle to keep on top of comments on my own blog and I really don’t get that much traffic! You know it takes nerve to step away from something and it’s always best to step back before it all gets too much.

I wish you and your blog well for the future and will, of course, continue to pop over.

Although it’s sad to see you leave #PoCoLo behind I’m sure you’ll do fantastic things. You’re clearly focused on what is right for you and that’s the main thing. Good luck with the new project. xxMorgan Prince recently posted..Thoughts on Blogfest ’15

This was my first ever linky! I’m sad to see it go, but completely understand the urge to go and do something else. Good luck with whatever that is and thank you for all the lovely blogs and comments I’ve gained from being part of it.

I’d also be interested in sharing the hosting with someone else if you’d be willing to trust me with it! 🙂

Wow, that must have been a really tough decision. PoCoLo has always been such a good linky, but I can’t begin to imagine how much work went into it every week. I actually gave up joining in a year or so ago as even jining in was a lot of work! I’m sure you will feel liberated without it. Enjoy!Sarah MumofThree World recently posted..The splinter

All good things must come to an end! This has been a really fun linky to take part in and I’ve discovered some amazing new blogs. Best wishes in whatever you do next and thank you for putting me into contact with so many other great bloggers 🙂Catherine @ Story Snug recently posted..Book Tree Advent Calendar

I found lots of great blogs on your linky and a very well done for making it such a big success. It’s completely understandable wanting to wrap it up nice and neatly at the end of this year. Linkies are a lot of hard work but you’ve done it really well. Xx

Thank you so much for hosting #PoCoLo – it has always been one of my favourite linkies to join and I will be sad to say goodbye but completely understand your reasons for stopping. The #PoCoLo community has always felt like a very friendly and supportive one and a lot of that has been down to the wonderful support you always give other bloggers. Thank you again and hope you enjoy having a little more time to focus on other things that are important to you xLouise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted..Review and giveaway: Miffy book collection from The Book People

Thank you for hosting all the years Victoria. PoCoLo was one of the first linkys I joined when I started blogging almost 2 years ago and I found so many great blogs and a few followers too through it, although I haven’t posted for a while I have still been popping back to read and thank you for having me as newbie showcase last April. xLoving life with little ones recently posted..Simple sensory play for Little 3

Happy to hear that you are giving yourself a break; I do indeed know how hard you worked on it, and I know that so many appreciated it! Twas a fab thing that you did and it will be missed but not forgotten 🙂 xxStephsTwoGirls (@stephc007) recently posted..Should autistic children go on school trips?

Oh no! That’s really sad but we respect your decision. Seems a couple of bloggers are ending as hosts on linkys. I hope it frees up more time to do what you love! xx big kisses and thank you xBaby Isabella recently posted..LaplandUK Review 2015

I can understand why you felt a little teary when writing this post, it’s been one of my favourites to link up to periodically throughout the years and I’ve enjoyed reading new blogs via PoCoLo, I’m sure it will be missed x P.S I’d be interested in co-hosting PoCoLo if anyone wants to share the dutiesEllen recently posted..All I want for Christmas is….

I know I’ve only been an occasional linker to pocolo but it will be missed. It is so great that you are spending time on things you want to do and refocusing your priorities. It’s a good reminder for us all to do that from time to time. XxxThebeesleybuzz recently posted..The Perfect Personalised Stocking from Pink Lining!

Aw, that’s sad. I have enjoyed the PoCoLos I have linked and SoFoLo helped me link with lots of new Pinterest accounts. I was never a regular linker on either due to the limitations of time but popped in from time to time. Bon courage (as the French say) and enjoy that “you” time 🙂

Aww my lovely, I can imagine you feeling emotional about this. It was one-of-a-kind when you started it and it has helped so many bloggers, well done. I would happily give it a home, because I want to read more blogs and connect and this would be a great way to do this. I’m looking forward to reading about your next challenge xx